What English sounds like to foreigners - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Craven Morehead · 12-18-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

An Italian singer wrote this song with gibberish to sound like English. If you've ever wondered what other people think Americans sound like, this is it.

What English Sounds Like to Foreigners is Today's BIG Thing in Music - NOV 03, 2009

And the song is very good, needs real lyrics.

Martian · 12-18-2009, 04:28 PM

In terms of the premise, it's nifty but hardly groundbreaking. If we can't parse a language, it's just so many meaningless phonemes. This is as good a representation as any, I guess.

The song itself sounds like something out of the 70's.

I find myself wondering, though. If an English musician had done something similar to emulate, say, Chinese, what would the reaction be?

LoganSnake · 12-18-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

I find myself wondering, though. If an English musician had done something similar to emulate, say, Chinese, what would the reaction be?

Spanish Basketball Team Celebrates Trip to China With Slant-Eye Team Photo - Spain - Deadspin

biznatch · 12-18-2009, 04:43 PM

When I play with French people, for French people, or even while just jamming, we sometimes don't know the lyrics, or the singer doesn't speak english. So you'll often hear the singer mash some syllables together in an American accent, with the general "sound" of the lyrics. We call this "yaourt," or yogurt, which is exactly what's in that video.
It's a lot of fun.
Oh, and that's a great song.

Crack · 12-23-2009, 09:41 PM

That song was actually pretty awesome. I wish someone would put actual words to it now

CinnamonGirl · 12-23-2009, 09:53 PM

...I like that better than a lot of what's ACTUALLY on the radio.

ObieX · 12-23-2009, 10:20 PM

I kinda liked it. Its hard to make out the lyrics in most songs these days even if they are speaking english.

Lucifer · 12-24-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biznatch

When I play with French people, for French people, or even while just jamming, we sometimes don't know the lyrics, or the singer doesn't speak english. So you'll often hear the singer mash some syllables together in an American accent, with the general "sound" of the lyrics. We call this "yaourt," or yogurt, which is exactly what's in that video.
It's a lot of fun.
Oh, and that's a great song.

Years ago when I was living in Portugal, I knew an English girl who couldn't speak Portuguese but managed to get along pretty well by "faking" Portuguese. She would speak English, but throw lots of "ow" and "ch" sounds into her words. (Apologies to L_T)

12-18-2009, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	In terms of the premise, it's nifty but hardly groundbreaking. If we can't parse a language, it's just so many meaningless phonemes. This is as good a representation as any, I guess. The song itself sounds like something out of the 70's. I find myself wondering, though. If an English musician had done something similar to emulate, say, Chinese, what would the reaction be? __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

12-18-2009, 04:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
biznatch Junkie Location: France	When I play with French people, for French people, or even while just jamming, we sometimes don't know the lyrics, or the singer doesn't speak english. So you'll often hear the singer mash some syllables together in an American accent, with the general "sound" of the lyrics. We call this "yaourt," or yogurt, which is exactly what's in that video. It's a lot of fun. Oh, and that's a great song. __________________ Check it out: The Open Source/Freeware/Gratis Software Thread

12-23-2009, 09:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Crack Misanthropic Location: Ohio! yay!	That song was actually pretty awesome. I wish someone would put actual words to it now __________________ Crack, you and I are long overdue for a vicious bout of mansex. ~Halx

12-23-2009, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
CinnamonGirl She's Actual Size Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell	...I like that better than a lot of what's ACTUALLY on the radio. __________________ "...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world." "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

12-23-2009, 10:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	I kinda liked it. Its hard to make out the lyrics in most songs these days even if they are speaking english. __________________ We Must Dissent.